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Collections Representative I Salary in the United States

How much does a Collections Representative I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Collections Representative I in the United States is $39,436 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

However, a Collections Representative I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $44,285
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35,689 to $41,974
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,278
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Collections Representative I Salaries

A Collections Representative I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Collections Representative I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Collections Representative I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Collections Representative I (0-1 years): $39,436
  • Collections Representative II (1-3 years): $43,940
  • Collections Representative III (3-5 years): $48,626
  • Collections Supervisor (5+ years): $67,664
  • VP of Collections (5+ years): $236,634
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Collections Representative I0-1 years$39,436
Collections Representative II1-3 years$43,940
Collections Representative III3-5 years$48,626
Collections Supervisor5+ years$67,664
VP of Collections5+ years$236,634
View as Graph

How Do Collections Representative Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Collections Representative Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $43,664.
  • California: $43,498.
  • Massachusetts: $42,918.

Top Paying Cities for Collections Representative I

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $49,741
  • San Francisco: $49,196
  • Oakland: $48,159

What Skills Can Increase a Collections Representative I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 17.84% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Credit Card (Mentioned in 2.74% Job Postings): A credit card is a type of credit facility, provided by banks that allow customers to borrow funds within a pre-approved credit limit.
  • HIPAA (Mentioned in 1.1% Job Postings): The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 17.84%
Credit Card 2.74%
HIPAA 1.1%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Collections Representative I's salary.

  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Accounting: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Time Management $44,957
14%
Accounting $44,168
12%
Flexibility $43,774
11%
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Collections Representative I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Collections Representative I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $44,146. While startup companies pay approximate $37,347.

Collections Representative I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $37,347
Growth Stage 51~500 $39,499
Established 501~5000 $42,631
Enterprise 5000+ $44,146

Collections Representative I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Collections Representative I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Collections Representative positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Collections Representative I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Collections Representative I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$51,267$25.030%
Pharmaceuticals$49,295$24.025%
Software & Networking$47,323$23.020%
Biotechnology$45,351$22.015%
Internet$45,351$22.015%

How Education impacts an Collections Representative I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Collections Representative I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Collections Representative I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $39,629 and $42,163.

Collections Representative I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Collections Representative I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.6%
High School 42.1%
Associates 25.0%
Bachelors 23.7%
Masters 6.6%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Collections Representative I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Collections Representative I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$35,689
Average $39,436/year
$41,974
$2,974
Average $3,286/month
$3,498
$686
Average $758/week
$807
$17
Average $19/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $41,974 $3,498 $807 $20
Average $39,436 $3,286 $758 $19
25th Percentile $35,689 $2,974 $686 $17

Collections Representative I Salary Growth & Career Path

Collections Representative I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Collections Representative I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Collections Specialist - Healthcare $43,940 11%
Collections Representative II $43,940 11%

Most common benefits for Collections Representative I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Collections Representative I

Here are companies hiring for Collections Representative I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Collections Representative I

1. Where can a Collections Representative I earn the most?

A Collections Representative I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Collections Representative I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Collections Representative I is $49,741.

2. What is the highest pay for Collections Representative I?

The highest pay for Collections Representative I is $44,285.

3. What is the lowest pay for Collections Representative I?

The lowest pay for Collections Representative I is $32,278.

4. What are the responsibilities of Collections Representative I?

Responsible for initiating calls with delinquent customers by phone, mail or personal visit to collect payments and settle accounts. Follows-up delinquent accounts, updates and maintains accurate financial records including accounting, receivable, and credit records. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Collections Representative I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Collections Representative I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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